Southern African Development Community ( Sadc ) Humanitarian and Emergency Operations Centre (Shoc) has warned about heavy rains expected to persist in all countries in the region.
According to the centre’s situational overview issued on Thursday, among other countries, heavy rainfall which started in Malawi on February 19 is expected to continue to February 24 2025.
It further advises communities in Malawi and other high-risk areas across the region to be watchful of accompanying flash-flood incidents and intermittent strong stormy winds.
“Communities in high-risk areas are advised to be vigilant of associated flash flood incidences, especially over low lying areas, landslide over mountainous areas, rivers and stream overflows due to rising water levels and occasional strong gusty winds,” reads the Shoc situation overview.
During the past two days, the country has been receiving heavy rains in most parts, that have destroyed crops and other property.
Other countries expected to be mostly affected by the heavy rains are South Africa, Lesotho, Mozambique, Madagascar and Mauritius.
However, the rainfall wi l l partially affect the Democratic Republic of Congo, Angola, Zambia, Namibia, Botswana,
Zimbabwe and Tanzania.
On its part, the Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services (Met) also warned on its website on Thursday that the Inter Tropical Convergence Zone was likely to cause locally heavy rain that may trigger flash floods in vulnerable areas in the country.
The department has since advised the people to stay alert while following its weather updates.
Preventive measures include not
crossing flooded or fast-flowing water and, also, not allowing children to play near water bodies.
Last month, the Famine Early Warning Systems (FewsNet), also, warned of the possibility of floods resulting from moderate to heavy rainfall expected across the country.
Data from the Department of Disaster Management Affairs as of January 30 2025 indicated that severe weather characterised by heavy rains killed 31 people and injured 382 others since the start of the 2024/25 rainfall season.
Shoc i s re spons ibl e for coordinating regional disaster risk preparedness, response and early recovery to support member- States affected by disasters.
It also facilitates the supply chain management of equipment and supplies that Sadc responders require during deployment of humanitarian support to member states.
